Black-necked Swan

The black-necked swans needs water and grassland. A pond with an area of 12-15 m2 or larger and a depth of one and a half meters is desirable in aviculture. The depth of the pond is important for mating. Furthermore, scarce low vegetation near the pond is possible. Banks should be at a shallow angle to allow easy entry to and exit from the water; this is particularly important if cygnets are to be parent reared. More than one pair may be kept in very large parks where each pair can establish a breeding territory. Swans appreciate water weed and grass, but other green foods such as lettuce and cabbage may be used as substitutes if necessary. They are relatively slow eaters and care should be taken in mixed enclosures that they get sufficient food. 

Good amounts of vegetation should be provided for nest building, with cover available for early-nesting species. Parent hatching and rearing is usual. Swans are able to defend their young against most predators, and their highly-aquatic lifestyle also makes cygnets less vulnerable. Unlimited green food should be available for the cygnets.

Black-necked swans are easy to manage, but territorial and aggressive, particularly in the breeding season and especially to other swans and to the similarly-marked Common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna); they generally leave other ducks and geese alone. A separate enclosure is recommended.

These swans require an extensive area of water, preferably with ample underwater vegetation for feeding. They are somewhat cold-sensitive and prone to frost-bitten feet; a winter pen which is draught-proof and has thick straw on the ground is suggested, and a shelter may be required in winter in colder climates. 

Black-necked swans breed fairly readily; they are bred regularly in some collections. They build a large mound of vegetation and a nest-foundation of twigs and reeds may be pre-build on an island or the shore to encourage breeding. Eggs may be laid as early as February, even in cold (near-freezing) conditions, but they are usually laid early March to end of May. The cygnets are best parent-reared; prolonged fine dry weather and plentiful water-weed are best for rearing. The cygnets are often carried on their parents' backs. These swans may double-brood.

Hybridisation with Mute swan (Cygnus olor) is possible.

The ideal relative humidity for incubating most waterfowl eggs is 55% (ground nesters) and 40% (cavity nesters). The temperature is usually 37.4°C. Set ventilation as recommended by the incubator manufacturer. Eggs must be turned, either automatically or by hand, a minimum of 4 times a day. As the duckling develops there is a loss of water from the egg and the air sac gets bigger. In normal development of an egg with a 34-36 days incubation, the air sac occupies about a third of it three days earlier. Cleanliness is vital and ideally eggs should be moved to a separate hatcher at this point, where the humidity should be increased to 65% and even higher once they have pipped internally.